Rotary brush sections



March 17, 1959 w, c, VAN CLIEF,'JR 7 2,877,481

ROTARY BRUSH SECTIONS March 17, 1959 w. c. VAN CLIEF, JR 2,877,481

ROTARY BRUSH SECTIONS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fil ed Jan. 5, 1955 FIQZ2,877,481 ROTARY BRUSH SECTIONS William C. Van Clief, Jr., Baltimore,Md., assignor to Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, Allegheny County, Pa.,a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 5, 1955, Serial No.480,021 9 Claims. (Cl. 15-181) This invention relates to a brushconstruction and it has particular relation to a construction formed ofa disclike base section, which is adapted to be coaxially strung upon amandrel to provide a cylindrical rotary brush which is inexpensive, ofhigh durability and efficiency.

It has heretofore been suggested in forming an annular brush sectionsuitable for stringing upon a mandrel, to stamp a pair of sheet metaldiscs constituting sides of the section to provide on one or both discsteeth projecting parallel to the central axis of the section and toprovide openings in the other disc to receive the teeth. The discs arethen disposed in spaced, coaxial position, brush bristles of double endtype are disposed about their perimeter and a retaining ring is formedby wrapping wire about the waists of the bristles to draw the latterbetween the discs. Ultimately, the discs are pressed from opposite sidescompletely to double the bristles and forcing the teeth through the massof bristles and through the openings for them in the other disc. Whenthe teeth are clinched, they provide cross, or transverse, connectionsbetween the two discs holding them together in assembled relationship.

The construction is subject to certain disadvantages as for examplethere is a tendency for the sharp edges of the teeth to chafe thebristles thus causing them to fail prematurely. Forming the teeth alsosubstantially reduces the stiffness of discs in which they are formed.The teeth are present while the bristles are being distributed anddoubled and they may become distorted in passing through the bristlemass or they may objectionably distort, or disarrange the bristles thuscausing defective construction. In the conventional construction, theretaining wire or ring was merely wrapped a plurality of times about thebristle material and the ends thereof were left unsecured so that radialforce generated by rotation of the retaining wire and the bristles wasin large measure transferred directly to the teeth. This constructionwas not so secure as might have been desired.

This invention comprises forming rotary brushes of sections, themetallic side discs of which are held together by staples of wire ofcircular section piercing the mass of bristles as well as the discs andends of which are clinched firmly, providing transverse members to holdthe discs in place. The wire staples being rounded in section andrelatively smooth, chafe and wear the bristles to far lesser degree thando the edges of the teeth.

As a further feature, the invention comprises forming tesPatentretaining rings by wrapping a strand of wire one or more v timesabout the waists of the bristles and securing the ends by twisting, bysolder or otherwise permanently securing them together. In so doing, theends of the wire are drawn very tight, pressing the loops of thebristles into position between the discs and they are maintainedpermanently in that state. If desired, this tightening operation may beperformed before the side discs are pressed into final position, thusreducing to a minimum the tendency of the bristles to become disarrangedduring subsequent pressing 2,877,481 Patented Mar. 17, 1959 operations.The ring so formed is capable of resisting relatively large centrifugalforces when a section is rotated.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may noW be had tothe accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section of arotary brush formed of sections constructed in accordance with theprovisions of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary end view partly in elevation and partly inphantom of a brush;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line III-III of Fig. 2 through aplurality of sections disposed in side by side relationship as theyoften are in a rotary brush;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line lVIV of Fig. 3 of aportion of a brush section illustrating one mode that may be employed inuniting the ends of the tie or retaining wire;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through one of the stampings employed inconstructing a brush in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of a disc showing the shape of anopening and a retaining tab formed in the opening before it is bent toparallel the central axis of the disc.

A brush B, shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, is composed of a pluralityof sections S having the construction most clearly illustrated in Figs.2 and 3. In this construction, it is to be observed that the sectioncomprises a sheet steel or iron stamping 20, shallowly, hat-like inshape as shown in Fig. 5. This has a cupped crown portion 21 with top ordisc 22 and cylindrical side wall portion 23 integral with the edge ofthe disc and constituting a core for the section and being integral withannular rim 24, the latter constitutes one of the side discs of sectionS and is coaxial with respect to the core. The top portion is formedwith openings 26 constituting ventilating means for the construction andis also provided with castellations 27 which extend parallel to the axisof the stamping. As shown in Fig. 6, the castellations may convenientlybe formed by stamping out the openings 26 to provide the castellationsas inwardly projecting tabs upon the cylindrical wall at the juncturewith the edge of the disc and which when the crown portion is pressedinto the blank, are bent to assume the vertical position as shown inFig. 5. Needless to say, the entire stamping operation involving cuttingthe openings 26 and shaping the crown portion can be effectedconcurrently by use of appropriate dies. The crown portion, if desired,may also be pressed out as a preliminary operation and subsequently theopenings 26 may be sheared in the top 22 and castellations 27 integralwith the side wall, may be bent upwardly. The top 22, it will beobserved, is also provided with a central opening 28 to receive thedriving mandrel, such as the mandrel 29 shown in Fig. 1. In order toprevent rotation of a brush section upon the mandrel during brushingoperations the opening may be formed with a keyway 30 adapted to receivea key 31 disposed in a suitable groove in the mandrel. Other modes ofsecur ing the section upon the mandrel may also be employed. Forexample, the opening 28 may be polygonal or of other non-circular shapeto fit upon a mandrel of corresponding non-circular shape.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a side disc constituting an annulus 32 may bedisposed upon the crown portion 21 near the outer edge thereof and inpart is clamped in position by appropriate clinching of the tabs orcastellations 27. Rim 24, side wall 23 and annulus 32 are continuous andprovide a continuous peripheral channel.

Bristles or filler material F for these sections may be of the replicateor double ended type and at their mid-portions or waists, are foldedabout a retaining ring or core structure 33 which may comprise one, or aormer plurality of-turns-ofastrandof wire having-endportions suitablytwisted, welded, soldered or otherwise fastened together as indicated at34 in Fig. 4 whereby to provide, in effect a continuous ring or ringswhich inherently have substantial resistance to centrifugal force,

when the units are rapidly rotated. It will be appreciated that theapplication of solder to the wire is not limited to the ends of thelatter; application may be made at intervals around the circumference.For example, it may be applied at a point directly opposite the ends, tocounterbalance the weight of the solder used upon the latter. It mayalso be applied at such other points as may be desirable to attaincounterhalancing of the'sectio-n or more firmly to secure the turns ofwire together. If desired, two or more separate rings may be formed toprovide greater strength.

As further means for holding the annular rim 24, and the annulus 32together in firm engagement against the bristle materials, a series ofstaples 36, preferably of wire ofround or'nearly round section andhaving bends or bights 37 are driven through from side to side passingthrough the metal of the rim 24 and annulus 32 and also through betweenthe brush bristles to form cross, or transverse ties. The ends thereof,as indicated at 38 in Fig. 2, are clinched inwardly toward each otherwhereby firmly to lock the ring 32 in position parallel to the rim 2dand directly to hold the bristles under pressure. This staplingoperation can readily be performed with a conventional, heavy-dutystapling machine well recognized in the art and description of which isnot deemed to be necessary. The staples in addition to holding theannulus 32 and the rim 24 in parallelism to form a channel for the brushbristles and'the retaining ring 33, also function to prevent peripheralcreeping of the bristles and the ring about the walls 23 of the crownportion 21. The staples may further be so disposed as to engage theouter perimeter of the retaining ring or core 33, thus providing meansmore completely to secure the ring against centrifugal force. A stillfurther alternative involves placing the staples on a diagonal withrespect to the radii of the ring 33 so that one leg thereof is disposedto engage the outer perimeter of the retaining ring while the inner legis disposed inside the same. As many rows of staples as desired may beprovided.

It is an important feature that the staples are of a round wire, or atleast of a wire which is substantially void ofsharp angles or corners,whereby to eliminate, or to reduce to aminirnum any tendency of thebristles to chafe against said angles or sharp corners on the staples.This is a substantial advantage over conventional constructions in whichthe opposite side elements of the brush section are held together byties comprising teeth integrally struck from the metal of the-sideelement. Such teeth, of necessity, are thin and flat and presentrelatively sharp corners or edges to the filler material or bristleswith which they come into contact.

A brush, such as is shown in Fig. l of the drawings, may be assembled ofas many sections S as may be necessary to obtain a desired cylindricallength. The sections are strung on the mandrel 29 in well known mannerand may he clamped in position by a suitable construction, as forexample end discs 40, which are integrally formed with or otherwisesecured to collars 41. The latter may be internally screw threaded andthreaded upon a shoulder portion 43 of the mandrel so that by holdingthe mandrel stationary'and rotating the collar 41 the end discs may betightened firmly to clamp the sections together against longitudinaldisplacement. The end disc may be provided with rugosities such as pits(not shown) engaging the projecting portions 37 and 38 on staples 3dorcastellations 27 to assist in preventing rotation of the sections onthe mandrel.

It will be observed in Fig. projecting portions of staples 36 and 27which clamp the annulus 32 in position,

3 of the drawings that the of the castellations also function as spacersbetween the annulus and the contiguous side of the adjacent ring thusproviding slots 44 through which air can circulate outwardlybycentrifugal force when the brush is driven. Such circulation is promotedby the openings 26 in stampings 20 which allow the air to movelongitudinally through the brush B. The outward passage of air throughthe space 44 promotes in continuous inward movement of air throughspaces 26. The air in its circulation both longitudinally and radially,cools the metal of stampings and the bristles with which it contacts.Overheating of the bristles is obviated, or at least, the tendencythereto is greatly reduced.

The'portion 22 constituting a center in the finished section provides aconductor which further facilitates the removal of heat from about thebase portions of the bristles. The rapid circulation of air through thecenter of the brush also cools the portion 22 in a highly effectivemanner.

Annular brush sections constructed in accordance with the principles ofthe present invention may be assembled by various techniques and by useof various types of apparatus.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herein shown anddescribed are by way of illustration; those skilled in the art willappreciate that numerous modifications may be made therein withoutdeparture from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. A rotary brush section of annular form comprising a metal disc with acentral hole formed therein for a mandrel, the disc having a continuousintegral cylindrical side Wall formed at the edge thereof, a continuousannular rim integral with the edge of the side wall, a continuousannulus disposed about the side wall in spaced relationship to the rim,the side wall, rim and annulus providing a continuous channel, the dischaving integral castellations formed thereon at the juncture with theside wall and being clinched radially outwardly to retain the annulusand radially disposed bristles between the rim and the annulus and beingdirectly pressed thereby.

2. A rotary brush section of annular form comprising a metallic dischaving a continuous integral cylindrical side wall formed at the outeredge thereof, a hole for a mandrel formed centrally in the disc and acontinuous annular rim integral with the edge of the side wall, acontinuous annulus disposed about the side wall in spaced relationshipto the rim, said side wall, said rim, andsaid annulus forming acontinuous channel, the side wall having integral castellations formedat the juncture of the side wall and the disc and being clinchedradially outwardly to retain the annulus, a retaining ring disposed inthe channel and replicate bristles folded about the ring and beingretained under direct pressure between the rim and the annulus.

3. A rotary brush section of annular form comprising a metallic dischaving an integral cylindrical side wall formed at the outer edgethereof, the disc further having a hole for a mandrel formed centrallytherein, a continuous annular rim integral with the edge of the sidewall, a continuous annulus disposed about the side wall in spacedrelationship to the rim, said side wall, said rim and said annulusproviding a continuous channel, a bristle retaining ring disposed in thechannel and replicately folded bristles doubled about the retainingring, said side wall at the juncture of the disc and the side wallhaving integral castellations formed thereon and being radially clinchedto retain the annulus and U- shaped staples piercing the rim and theannulus to retain the bristles from peripheral creeping and for furthersecuring the rim and the annulus in fixed relationship with respect toeach other.

4. A rotary brush section of annular form comprising, ;a metallic discwith an integral, continuously cylindrical side wall at the perimeterthereof, the disc having a hole for a mandrel formed centrally therein,a continuous annular rim integral with the edge of the side wall, acontinuous annulus disposed about the side wall in spaced relationshipand said annulus forming a continuous channel, a bristle retaining ringdisposed in the channel and double ended bristles replicately foldedabout the ring and being maintained under direct pressure by the annulusand the rim, said disc having openings formed therein for circulation ofair therethrough, staples piercing the rim and the annulus to retainthem in position with respect to each other and to retain the bristlesfrom peripheral creeping, said staples having portions projectingaxially from the rim and the annulus and providing axial spacing betweencontiguous sections when they are assembled upon a mandrel whereby topermit outward flow of air be tween the sections to cool the same duringoperation of a brush formed of said section's.

5. A rotary brush section of annular form comprising a disc having anintegral, continuously extending, cylindrical, peripheral side wallportion, a hole for a mandrel formed centrally in the disc, a continuousannular rim integral with the edge of the side wall, a continuousannulus disposed about the side wall in spaced relationship to the rim,said side wall, said rim and said annulus forming a continuous channel,a bristle retaining ring disposed in the channel anddouble endedbristles replicately folded about the ring and being directly gripped bythe rim and the annulus, the disc having openings formed therein topermit axial movement of air in the side wall portion and meansassociated with the section to space the same with respect to contiguoussections when they are ganged together upon a mandrel whereby to permitoutward movement of air when a brush comprising said sections isrotated.

6. A rotary brush section of annular form comprising a disc having acontinuous cylindrical side wall integral with the edge of the disc, thedisc having a hole for a mandrel formed centrally therein, a continuousannular rim integral with the edge of the side wall, a continuousannulus disposed about the side wall in spaced relationship to the rim,said side wall, said rim and said annu- Ills providing a continuousbristle retaining channel, a bristle retaining ring disposed in thechannel, double ended radially projecting bristles looped about theretaining ring and being maintained under direct pressure between therim and the annulus, the disc having openings formed therein for theaxial movement of air there through, means spacing the sections when aplurality thereof are ganged upon a mandrel and comprising staplespiercing the rim and the annulus and having end portions projectingaxially and being adapted to constitute spacers between contiguoussections.

7. A rotary brush section of annular form comprising to the rim, saidwall, said rim a metallic disc having a continuous, cylindrical sidewall integrally formed at the edge thereof, said disc also having a holefor a mandrel formed centrally therein, a continuous annular rimintegral with the edge of the side wall, a continuous annulus disposedabout the side wall in spaced relationship to the rim, said side wall,said annular rim and said annulus forming a continuous annular channel,a bristle retaining ring disposed in the channel, radially disposedbristles replicatcly folded about the retaining tween the rim and theannulus, the disc also having openings formed at the edge thereof andthe side wall having castellations integrally formed at the openings andbeing clinched radially outwardly to retain the annulus, staplespiercing the annulus and the rim and having portions projecting in adirection parallel to the axis of the section and constituting spacingelements between the contiguous sections when they are ganged upon amandrel whereby to permit outward movement of the air when the gangedsections are rotated.

8. A rotary brush section comprising a core element, brush bristleshaving mid portions thereof with a plurality of turns of wire confiningsaid mid portions on the core, the ends of the wire being solderedtogether and solder further being applied to the turns of the wire at apoint diametrically opposed to said ends, the latter soldercounterbalancing the solder at said ends, and side discs coaxiallydisposed with respect to the core and clamping the bristles with theends thereof projecting radially outwardly.

9. A rotary brush section comprising a core element, brush bristleshaving mid portions thereof wound tightly with a plurality of turns oftie wire confining said mid portions on the core, the ends of the Wirebeing soldered together and solder further being applied to the turns ofthe wire at a point diametrically opposed to said ends, the lattersolder counterbalancing the solder at said ends and side discs coaxiallydisposed with respect to the core and clamping the bristles with theends thereof projecting radially, the side discs further being piercedby tie elements extending through the bristles and securing the sidediscs permanently together and further securing the tie wire in place.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

